Jet lag treatment, to help reset your body clock

What is jet lag?

Jet lag happens when your internal body clock — regulated by light, darkness and a natural daily rhythm — falls out of step with the local time at your destination. It most commonly occurs after crossing four or more time zones, and is generally worse when travelling east than west. You might find you cannot sleep at night, feel overwhelmingly tired during the day, have difficulty concentrating, feel irritable or have digestive disturbances — sometimes all at once.

Most people adapt naturally within a few days, but for those on short trips, business travel or important events, that adjustment window can matter a great deal. The same applies when every day of a holiday counts.

How is jet lag treated?

Light management and sleep scheduling are the backbone of jet lag recovery — exposing yourself to natural daylight at the right times and adjusting your sleep window toward local time helps your body clock shift faster. Avoiding alcohol and staying well hydrated supports the process.

A tablet that helps reset your body clock can meaningfully shorten the adjustment period, particularly on long-haul eastward flights. Taken at the right time for a few days, it helps signal to your body when it should be sleeping. It is not a sedative — it works by nudging your body's natural rhythm, not by forcing sleep.

We do not list specific medicines on this page. Which tablet is appropriate for you, and how to take it, is a clinical decision confirmed by your prescriber inside the consultation once they have reviewed your health.

Treating jet lag with NewGen

NewGen Pharmacy is a GPhC-registered community pharmacy at 245 High Street, Stratford. You complete a short, confidential questionnaire, a UK prescriber reviews it, and if treatment is appropriate your order is dispensed and delivered discreetly — or you can collect from our Stratford branch. If you are also travelling to a malaria-risk area or are concerned about motion sickness on your journey, see our malaria prevention and motion sickness pages.

How the online consultation works for jet lag

The consultation takes a few minutes. You will answer questions about your destination, the direction of travel (which determines timing), and your general health — including any medicines you take and any conditions that might affect whether the tablet is right for you. If everything is in order, the prescriber approves the consultation and your treatment is prepared and dispatched.

When to see your GP instead

An online jet lag consultation is suited to otherwise healthy adults seeking help adjusting to a new time zone. If you have persistent, unexplained sleep difficulties unrelated to travel, a significant sleep disorder, or if certain health conditions apply, your GP is the right first stop. If the prescriber cannot safely manage your situation online, they will tell you clearly and suggest the right care.